October 2018 Hike List

The schedule includes hikes in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the Spring Mountains. Meeting locations for hikes in any other areas will be specified in the hike description. You can locate detailed information on all locations at the AtBF blog and in a file at the Yahoo group website. Also, the exposure information is now located on the blog. Blogsite: www.aroundthebendfriends.com

IMPORTANT NOTE - Hike coordinators may not always be at either the early or primary assembly points. Participants will need to monitor the time and set up carpooling to the next meeting location or pickup point when that occurs. Although most of these situations are noted in the hike descriptions, others may occur that are not so noted. Times indicated for each hike are departure times and are strictly observed.

Please pay attention to the difficulty ratings for each hike offered and do not attempt hikes that are beyond your abilities. Participants can find additional descriptions about hikes on the blog by clicking on the Updated Hike Descriptions link and/or using the Search Box found at the top right of the blog. Members should also contact the coordinator if they have any concerns or questions about the hike. As two of our prime considerations on any hike are safety and enjoyment, it is important that each participant have the capability of completing any advertised hike at the pace published by the coordinator.

It is the responsibility of new members to prove their hiking ability, therefore, hikers new to our club must begin with one of the easy or easy to moderate hikes offered on the monthly schedule. After they have gained sufficient experience, have been able to assess their abilities relative to the group, and have had a chance to interact with our coordinators, they will be free to start moving up to more difficult hikes. New hikers who are guests of existing members may initially participate in other than easy or easy moderate hikes but must be accompanied by the existing member who will take responsibility for their safety if the situation demands.

Hike coordinators will have the right to reject any hiker, whether new to the club or an existing member, if they believe that such person’s participation would infringe on the ability of the group to conduct the hike as advertised or if overall safety becomes an issue.
Questions regarding general information should be directed to Lettie Gutierrez at chico04@msn.com. Specific questions regarding hikes should be directed to the listed coordinator. Refer to the club roster for contact information.

Difficulty Levels
Easy- Hikes of 3-4 miles or less with not more than 500 feet of gain, generally with only gradual elevation gains on even surface trails.
 
Easy Moderate- Hikes ranging up to 5 miles and 500 to 700 feet of elevation gain with the potential for some minor trail irregularities.
 
Moderate- Hikes that have a maximum distance of 7 miles with 800 to 1000 feet of elevation gain.
Moderately Strenuous- Distances of up to 12 miles and/or 1400 to 2400 feet of elevation gain involving less than 25 % of off-trail hiking such as boulder scrambling or bushwhacking.
Strenuous- Longer distances with elevation gain of 2500 to 3000 feet or shorter distances that encompass significant off-trail sections not requiring additional safety equipment.


Monday, October 1st, Raintree via Trail Canyon – This moderately strenuous all trail hike is 7 miles with 2100 feet of elevation gain. We begin at Trail Canyon which is a 2.1-mile workout. Then we catch the North Loop over to Raintree. Views of Bristlecone Pine trees, Charleston, Fletcher and Mummy are some of the delights. My pace will be on the slow side of moderate. Depart the Santa Fe Casino at 8:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Tuesday, October 2nd, North Peak (Sandstone). We will hike up Rocky Gap Road to the trailhead to begin our steep assent to the summit.  Our descent will be via a challenging wash that came into use last year which runs next to the traditional trail and will provide a fun experience for our descent.  We will hike about 8 miles with about 2500 feet of elevation gain for a strenuous hike and a new twist on an old favorite hike.  Meet at the Red Rock Casino for an 8:00am departure.  Coordinator - MarkZ 

Wednesday, October 3rd, Stepladder Trail OB – A moderate hike of about 5-6 miles with 1000 feet of elevation gain is on the menu today. The trail begins in the lot across from the Spring Mountain Visitor Center. The trail is below Deer Creek Highway. We will hike up the trail and stop for our break and turnaround at 2.5 to 3 miles. Our pace will be on the slow side of moderate. Depart the Santa Fe Casino at 8:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Friday, October 5th, Mormon Girls Camp Loop – Let’s call it moderate with 5 miles and 1000 feet of elevation gain. It has been several years for me since I last visited the camp and I’ve heard it has been further developed. We will park on Archery Range Road that is off Deer Creek just after the picnic area. We hike back to the picnic area and make our way by the cabins and up to Cougar Ridge Trail. After we pass a private residence, we make a right turn down a creek area which feeds into the camp. Pacing will be on the slow side of moderate. Depart the Santa Fe at 8:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Saturday, October 6th, Cathedral Rock O&B- A traditional trek up onto the great rock that overlooks upper Kyle Canyon. The views from on high are really wonderful, especially with fall coming. The pace will be slow with a total distance of 3 miles and an elevation gain of 870 Feet. Rate this trek as an easy moderate effort. We’ll depart the Santa Fe by 8:30 AM. Coordinator- Judy Warner

Sunday, October 7th, Red Springs Loop – This is a fun moderate hike which is AKA Guardian Angel Loop. It is 4 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain. We begin at Red Springs picnic area in Calico Basin. The trail follows below the Calico Hills until we turn to climb up the pass. This part is steep trail and use of hands might be needed to scramble up the sandstone. Then it’s down a steep trail and more scrambling to the Angel and then our break spot. We will walk on trail and sandstone as we hike past Calico II and I and around the southern end of Calico Hills. Depart Red Rock Casino at 8:00 AM and Red Springs picnic area of 8:15 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Monday, October 8th, Showgirl to Stepladder/Exploratory/Shuttle- A fun hike that takes us down through the heart of the lower Deer Creek area starting at one of our favorite trailheads, The Showgirl. From there we’ll head counterclockwise down the Old Deer Creek Road trail over to Robbers Roost, where we’ll take our break. Then we’ll take the following trails: Old Road Trail, Cowboy Washington Trail, Stepladder, and finally the Feeder Trail to our destination, the Traffic Circle TH. The trek is rated moderately strenuous based on the distance and terrain. Approximate distance is about 6 plus miles and our elevation loss will be 1,613 FT. Meet at the Santa Fe by 8:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Tuesday, October 9th, Red Cap South (4925’) - Its lollipop Tuesday. From the boardwalk, ascend Ash Canyon and the steep, Class 3 North Chute. Continue the CCW loop back to Ash Canyon and bring it on home. Five miles with ~1400’ vertical. Strenuous. Depart the Red Spring Boardwalk in Calico Basin at 7:30 AM. Coordinator - Michael O’Connor

Wednesday, October 10th, Oak Creek/Knoll/Arnight Desert Triangle- Three trails come together to provide a great fall day along the Red Rock Escarpment. The route is rated moderate based on the easy rolling terrain, good trails, and the total distance of just over five (5) miles. The elevation gain is only 500 FT or so. From the trailhead, we’ll take the Traverse Trail to the Oak Creek TH where we’ll head across the desert on the Arnight Trail to where it intersects the Knoll Trail. This is our break point at the Juniper Wash. To return, we’ll hike the Knoll Trail back to where it intersects the Oak Creek Canyon Trail, then back down to the Oak Creek TH and the cars via the Traverse Trail. Meet at the trailhead, which will be the Red Rock Scenic Exit Loop by 8:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Thursday, October 11th, Gray Cap (5,443’)- A clockwise strenuous loop. Five miles with 2000’ vertical. Ascend Five-Stop Hill and the Class 2 Upper Gateway Canyon. Descend Class 3 Gray Fox Canyon. Gather at the Kraft Mountain dirt parking lot by 7:30AM. Coordinator- Michael O’Connor

Friday, October 12th, Turtlehead Peak – This limestone peak offers wonderful views of Red Rock and the Las Vegas Valley. It’s rated moderately strenuous with 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain. We begin at Sandstone Quarry, but the trail soon becomes steep all the way to the ridge. Then we hike up the back slope to the peak. My pace will be on the slow side of moderate. Let’s depart the Red Rock at 8:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Saturday, October 13th, Fall Picnic - Our fall picnic will be at the Spring Mountain Visitor Center this year. There are hikes scheduled before the picnic or come join us at 11:30 for food.

Saturday, October 13th, Fall Picnic- Campground to Old Town O&B- A favorite trek up through a special area and time that looks back at the trail development in Kyle and Lee Canyons. The total distance is 4 miles with an elevation gain of 100 FT. In terms of rating, consider this an easy moderate effort as the pace will be slow. The trailhead will be the Fletcher Canyon parking lot. Meet at the Santa Fe by 8:30 AM. Coordinator- Judy Warner

Saturday- October 13th, Fall Picnic- Acastus/Escarpment/Eagle’s Nest Loop- We’ll take time to enjoy three favorite trails to celebrate the day. The trek is rated moderately strenuous as the distance is 7.4 miles with an elevation gain of 1,425 FT. We’ll have great views of the mountains as fall begins to settle in. Meet at the Traffic Circle TH by 7:30 AM- Coordinator- David Gray

Sunday, October 14th, White Rock Hills Loop with a Twist – It is still a moderate hike of 6 miles with 1200 feet of elevation gain and the twist begins after the White Rock Road. We will stay in the wash and hike up to the break spot on the sandstone. This wash section is trail, boulders and sandstone but does not require use of hands. After our break, we finish the loop with views of sandstone and limestone peaks back to the cars. We will depart Red Rock at 8:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Monday, October 15th, Potato Knoll – One of my favorite hikes that begins at the dirt parking lot at the end of the scenic loop road and makes it way over to the knoll below Mount Wilson. It is a moderate hike of 5 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain. We take our break behind the Knoll and will not climb up to the top. Then we make our way around the Knoll and will reconnect with trail back to the cars. Depart Red Rock at 8:00 AM. Coordinator – Lettie Gutierrez

Tuesday, October 16th, La Madre Miners’ Cabin/Mine - No doubt, this will be a great moderately strenuous trek up the ridge above La Madre Springs to this stone shelter landmark. The total distance is about 5 miles with an elevation gain of some 1,400 FT. Hiking poles are recommended as the route turns steep with some loose rock as it approaches the cabin and beyond. It is believed that this cabin was constructed by miners who dug shafts further up the ridge. We’ll depart the Red Rock Casino by 8AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Wednesday, October 17th, Valley Trail Loop- This will be a moderate trek in the beautiful Oak Creek wash area just south of our trailhead as the total distance is close to 4.8 miles with an elevation gain of 405 FT. Our goal, break point will the First Creek Trail Junction. Meet at the Red Rock Scenic Loop Exit Lot by 8:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Thursday, October 18th, White Rock Springs- From Willow Springs, a CCW circumferential around White Rock with an ascent from the northwest side. We’ll grab both peaks. Looking at seven (7) miles with 1800 FT vertical gain. Moderately strenuous with some Class 3 scrambling. Depart the Red Rock Casino by 7:30 AM. Coordinator- Michael O’Connor

Friday, October 19th, Ice Box Canyon - This moderate hike is about 3 miles with 300 feet of elevation gain. The first mile is a trail then we drop into the creek and hike over boulders as we make our way to the end. Expect to do some Class II scrambling as we’ll be using our hands to climb up several sections. After we enjoy our break, then it’s back to the cars. Depart the Red Rock Casino by 8:00 AM. Coordinator – Barbara Ulmer

Saturday, October 20th, Fletcher Canyon via the Acastus Trail - It’s a trek up and back the lower area of Kyle Canyon into one of the area’s most beautiful landmarks, Fletcher Canyon. The route is rated moderately strenuous based on the total distance of 7.7 miles coupled with an elevation gain of 1,711 FT. Some easy Class II scrambling is required in the canyon. We’ll begin our trek at the Traffic Circle TH. Meet at the Santa Fe by 8:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Saturday, October 20th, Bonanza Trail via the Upper Bristlecone - This will be a great fall trek as the aspens will be turning bright yellow all through the mountains. We’ll be doing a slow pace to enjoy the day on this 5 mile route which has an elevation gain of 800 FT. Rated as easy moderate. Meet at the Santa Fe by 8:30 AM. Coordinator- Judy Warner

Sunday, October 21st, Mary Jane Falls- Our easy moderate trek is about 3 miles long and will be done at a leisurely pace. The trail has a series of switchbacks and on the last one there is a series of steps. Hopefully we’ll get to see a lot of fall color in the canyon. We’ll take our break at the falls/cave area then return to the cars. Depart the Santa Fe by 8:30 AM. Coordinator- John Ward

Monday, October 22nd, Landmine Loop- This is a moderately strenuous trail route that offers great views of the sandstone escarpment and the Cottonwood Valley area as it circles the ridge behind the small town of Blue Diamond. We’ll take time for numerous breaks while trekking as well as lunch at the General Store. The total distance is about 8 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 900 feet. Depart Red Rock Casino by 8:00 AM or meet at the Blue Diamond TH parking lot on the right side of the road at the start of the town by 8:30AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Tuesday, October 23rd, Juniper Peak (6109’) - The standard route. An out-and-back affair from Pine Creek. Drop down to the Wilson Homestead, cross the creek and thread the cholla cactus grove. Ascend Juniper Canyon and negotiate the big rocks before tackling the steep sandstone. Six miles with 2400’ vertical. Color it strenuous with a Class 3 section near the cap. Depart from the Red Rock Casino by 7:30 AM. Coordinator- Michael O’Connor

Wednesday, October 24th, Sunset and Full Moon Rising- This will be an easy moderate lollipop trek of 2.4 miles with 450 feet elevation gain. The pace will be slow to moderate, keeping the group together. Hiking poles are suggested along with headlamps and/or flashlights. Bring a pad or something to sit on. Meet on the Calico Basin Rd, just 0.3 miles off of SR 159, West Charleston Blvd. for a 5:00 PM departure. Parking is allowed along both sides of the road. Sunset at 5:53 PM; Full moon rises at 6:23 PM. Coordinator- Tony Fountain

Friday, October 26th, Dragon Canyon/Ash Canyon Overlooks- This is a moderately strenuous loop that ascends to two great overlooks via Dragon Canyon. Our next effort will have us dropping into the Lower Gateway Canyon so that we can make our way up and over Five Stop Hill to return to the trailhead. We’ll take our break in the Gateway. The total distance will be just under 4 miles with an elevation gain of 1,200 plus feet. Easy Class 2-3 scrambling is required at times. For our trailhead, let’s meet by 8 AM in Calico Basin at the gravel parking lot located off of Sandstone Drive at the base of Kraft Mountain. Coordinator- David Gray

Saturday, October 27th, Wild Horse Canyon Loop via the North Loop- This is an interesting route that takes us up the North Loop Trail to the Meadow where we’ll take our break enjoying the fall weather and the great scenery. From there, we’ll cross over via the Cactus Jack Trail to pick up the beautiful Wild Horse Canyon Trail. Our trailhead will be the North Loop TH. Approximate distance is just under 4 miles with an elevation gain of 1,000 FT. Rate this an easy moderate effort as our pace will be slow. We’ll depart the Santa Fe by 8:00 AM to avoid traffic congestion at the TH. Coordinator- Judy Warner

Sunday, October 28th, Echo Canyon/Fossil Ridge- This route is rated as an easy moderate trek that involves a bit of scrambling with help provided when necessary and with the pace set to accommodate all participants. The total distance will be 4 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 700 FT. We will use the less steep Bunny Trail for the lower portion of our descent back to the cars. Meet at the Red Rock Casino by 8:30 AM in preparation to go to the trailhead which is located at the Cowboy Stables parking lot. Coordinator- John Ward

Monday, October 29th, Old Deer Creek Road/Champion Ridge - This is moderate trek that takes us back to a different time, but the same beautiful scenery. Total distance is some 3.5 miles with an elevation gain of 650 FT. Our trailhead will be the Orange Trail pull-off. Meet at the Santa Fe by 8:00 AM. Coordinator- David Gray

Tuesday, October 30th, Terrace Canyon (5033′) - One of the more picturesque treks in the Red Rock area. Lunch with a view, a terraced view. Picture the Amalfi Coast without all the high-dollar villas. From the Pine Creek trailhead, we’ll venture deep into the canyon on the south side of Mescalito. It’s a seven- miler with 1900′ vertical. VW-sized boulders with lots of scrambling. Mild class 3, strenuous. Depart from the Red Rock Casino at 7:30 AM. Coordinator - Michael O’Connor

Wednesday, October 31st, Kraft Mountain Loop- This moderate hike begins at Red Springs picnic area. Starting out, we'll trek along the base of the Calico Hills making our way over to our favorite hill that can require 5 stops or more. The pace will be balanced to keep the group together as we work our way to the top for a brief break. Moderately slow pace. Then we turn down into the Lower Gateway Canyon wash where hikers will have the option to stay on the trail or turn to scramble down the sandstone. The total distance will be about 5 miles coupled with an elevation gain of 600 FT. Meet at the Red Rock Casino for an 8:00 AM departure. Coordinator- John Ward